Mariah Carey joins American Idol judging panel for $18m

The superstar will earn $6m more than predecessor Jennifer Lopez

Mariah Carey is the first confirmed judge signed to American Idol since the departure of Jennifer Lopez and Steve Tyler - and she's nabbed quite a pay packet.

Mariah has reportedly been offered a whopping $18m for her first year on the hit show, that's an impressive $6m more than Jennifer Lopez was paid for her first season.

The singer, who has sold over 100m records worldwide, will join veteran judge LA Reid on the infamous panel for the 12th season, but a third mentor is yet to be found.

JENNIFER LOPEZ STYLE HIGHS AND LOWS

On hearing the news, recently departed judge Jennifer offered Mariah some advice, telling E! News: 'There is pressure as far as the live shows, but you know what? Just remember you're there at the end of the day to help those contestants grow and to get to the end and to get to that finale.

'And whenever I thought about that it always made my job a little less pressure-filled and a littler easier, because it's not about you. It wasn't about me, it was about them. It was about helping them and that always made it a lot of fun for me. I'm going to miss it a lot.'

The singer added: 'She's a musician for a long time she has a lot of experience. And it's that experience you offer them at the end of the day, the contestants just want to get better and grow through the process.'

PICS: AMERICAN IDOL FINAL

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